第18部分(第3/7 页)

e　sign　of　success；　as　agreed。　At　this　signal　Huang　Zu；　Kuai　Yue；　and　Cai　Mao　led　three　armies　out　of　the　city　and　fell　upon　the　Changsha　troops；　throwing　them　into　the　utmost　confusion。

When　Huang　Gai　heard　the　sound　of　battle；　he　led　up　the　troops　from　the　ships。　He　met　Huang　Zu　and　took　Huang　Zu　prisoner　after　a　brief　fight。

Cheng　Pu　set　out　to　bear　the　sad　news　to　Sun　Ce。　While　he　was　seeking　a　way　out；　he　came　across　Lu　Gong。　Cheng　Pu　at　once　put　his　horse　at　full　speed　and　engaged　Lu　Gong。　After　a　few　bouts　Lu　Gong　went　down　under　a　spear　thrust。　The　battle　became　general　and　continued　till　daylight　broke；　when　each　drew　off　his　army。　Liu　Biao　withdrew　into　the　city。

When　Sun　Ce　returned　to　the　river；　he　heard　that　his　father　had　perished　in　the　fight；　and　his　body　had　been　carried　within　the　enemy's　walls。　He　uttered　a　great　cry；　and　the　army　joined　him　with　wailing　and　tears。

〃How　can　I　return　home　leaving　my　father's　corpse　with　them？〃　cried　Sun　Ce。

Huang　Gai　said；　〃We　have　Huang　Zu　as　our　prisoner。　Let　one　enter　the　city　and　discuss　peace；　giving　up　our　prisoner　for　our　lord's　body。〃

He　had　barely　finished　speaking　when　an　officer　in　the　army；　Huan　Ji；　offered　himself　as　messenger；　saying；　〃I　am　an　old　friend　of　Liu　Biao。　I　volunteer　to　take　the　mission。〃

Sun　Ce　agreed。　So　Huan　Ji　went　and　peace　was　discussed。

Liu　Biao　told　Huan　Ji；　saying；　〃The　body　is　already　laid　in　a　coffin　and　ready　to　be　delivered　as　soon　as　Huang　Zu　returned。　Let　us　both　cease　fighting　and　never　again　invade　each　other's　territories。〃

Huan　Ji　thanked　him　and　took　his　leave。

But　as　Huan　Ji　went　down　the　steps；　Kuai　Liang　suddenly　broke　in；　saying；　〃No；　no！　Let　me　speak　and　I　will　see　to　it　that　not　a　single　enemy　can　su